OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - On this day in 1911, Columbus Day became a legal holiday in the state of Nebraska.

The bill creating it had been voted down before by Nebraska legislators, and not everyone was thrilled about the new observance.

Banks and public offices were supposed to close in Omaha, but the Board of Education didn’t see the point, and kept public schools open.

The City of Columbus held no special observances that day, despite sharing a name.

In Omaha, festivities were hopping in the Little Italy neighborhood, including a banquet by the Knights of Columbus.

Columbus Day is now a federal holiday, observed on the second Monday in October.

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